Time management is an issue for many moms who feel overwhelmed with so much on their plate. Today we have a guest post from Anita Fernandes who provides excellent ideas on how to make more time for the things you want to do not just the things you need to do.

Whether you’re a stay at home mum or a working mum, there’s no denying that raising kids takes a lot of time and effort. Time management is an essential skill for all moms as it allows you to handle all your tasks and chores, spend time with your kids, enjoy the occasional date night with your spouse and get some alone time. This may seem like an impossible dream but with a little patience and consistency, you can achieve it.

1.       Prioritize your sleep 

A lot of mums come home from work, take care of household chores, put their kids to bed and then whip out their laptops to finish their office tasks. It might seem like a smart choice to sacrifice an hour of sleep to complete your work in peace and quiet.

In fact, a recent study found that less than half of the surveyed women who have children at home get an adequate amount of sleep. Insufficient sleep results in reduced cognitive abilities which means that you are likely to take longer to finish your work the next day.

If this vicious cycle is allowed to continue, you will find yourself in a state of permanent fatigue – which is not good for you or your family. Follow a regular sleep schedule and stick to it even on weekends to make sure that you get adequate sleep.

2.       Get organized

Getting organized will eliminate the stress of trying to remember all the tasks and chores that you need to complete. Use a planner or web tools to keep track of everything that you need to do at work and at home and allot time for each task so that you don’t procrastinate and unnecessarily put things off for later.

If you need to bump a task for a later time, make note of it in your planner so that you don’t lose track of it. This simple time management tip will go a long way in helping you stay on top of things at the workplace and at home.

3.       Multi-task efficiently

Multi-tasking allows you to make the most of your time but it’s important to know when and how to multi-task. For instance, you can make doctors’ appointments while on the treadmill or you can quiz your kids on their upcoming test while cleaning up in the kitchen.

However, there are times when you need to focus completely on the task at hand so don’t try to multi-task when you’re ironing the clothes! Decide on when and how you can multi-task and then make it a part of your regular schedule to free up some time for yourself.

4.       Relinquish control through task delegation

Children take time to learn new tasks so you need to be patient instead of simply doing the work for them. For instance, if your child sends crumbs flying all over the kitchen while wiping the table, don’t snatch the cloth and finish the job.

Instead, show your child the correct technique and do a few dry runs until they get it right. Praise your child for a job well done as this will give them a healthy outlook towards chores and responsibilities.

Delegation of work in the office and at home will ensure that the work gets done and that you’re not too tired by the end of the day.

5.       Meal prep on weekends

Meal prep on the weekends as this will allow you to store all the ingredients you will need for your meals in the coming week. Wash, dry, and chop your produce and then pop them into separate storage containers with labels.

You can even cook entire meals ahead of time and freeze them so that they can be used on days when you get held up in office. You can turn meal prep into a family activity so that everyone is involved which cuts back on the time you spend and presents an opportunity for some family bonding.

6.       Create a family calendar

Create a family calendar and hang it up in a prominent spot. This will help you, your spouse and kids keep a track of all upcoming activities from birthdays and recitals to PTA meetings and dentist appointments.

This is also a great way for your kids to learn how to get organized. Discuss the calendar with the rest of the family and update it as and when new activities crop up. 

You may be driven to be the ultimate “supermom” but this amps up the pressure and will lead to guilt, stress and anxiety. Women are 2 times more likely than men to suffer from anxiety and in some cases, they might even require long-term medications for anxiety disorders.

Effective time management strategies will go a long way in reducing stress and allow you to enjoy more time with your family. Instead of aiming for perfection, focus on the health and happiness of you and your family.

Author’s Bio: Anita Fernandes has been writing extensively on health and wellness for over a decade. She has expertise in nutrition, fitness, weight loss and  anxiety disorders and has contributed content to a variety of leading digital health publishers. Anita has a unique perspective on healthy living and lifestyle, as she has battled and overcome eating disorders and obesity. She shares her experiences in an effort to help others overcome the physical and mental health problems that can sometimes seem insurmountable.

Cheers,

Emily